I can't log into my email

Sign in to the MSN account through Outlook.com first; if that succeeds, repair the Outlook desktop profile, while a browser failure should be handled with Microsoft’s account troubleshooter.

1. Isolate the account from the desktop app

1. Close Outlook.
2. Open a browser and go to Outlook.com.
3. Select Sign in, then enter the full @msn.com address and Microsoft account password.

MSN email uses the Microsoft account sign-in process documented for Outlook.com accounts.^1^

Since another device or network has already been tested, there is no need to repeat that step.

2. If browser sign-in works

This indicates that the account credentials work and narrows the problem to Outlook desktop.

Classic Outlook for Windows

Repair the existing profile:

1. Open Outlook and select File.
2. Select Account Settings > Account Settings.
3. On the Email tab, select the MSN account.
4. Select Repair and complete the wizard.
5. Restart Outlook and test sign-in again.^2^

If Repair is unavailable or Outlook still does nothing, create a separate test profile rather than deleting the current one:

1. Close Outlook.
2. Hold Shift while starting Outlook.
3. Select Options and enable Prompt a profile to be used.
4. Select New, enter a profile name, and select OK.
5. Add the MSN address and complete sign-in.
6. Start Outlook with the new profile.^3^

This preserves the old profile while testing a clean Outlook configuration.

New Outlook for Windows

If there is no File > Account Settings path:

1. Select View > View settings, or File > Account info.
2. Select Accounts > Your accounts.
3. Under Email accounts, select Add Account.
4. Enter the MSN address, select Continue, and complete sign-in.^4^

3. If browser sign-in also fails

Use the account troubleshooter on Microsoft’s Outlook.com sign-in support page.^1^

If the password is accepted but access still fails, use Microsoft account recovery. Recovery may ask for a security code and then allow a new password to be set.^5^

Do not post the complete email address, password, or verification codes in a reply. If Outlook eventually displays an error, provide only its exact text.

References

1. How to sign in to Outlook.com | Microsoft Support
2. Fix your Outlook email connection by repairing your profile | Microsoft Support
3. Create a profile in classic Outlook for Windows | Microsoft Support
4. [Classic Outlook](https://support.microsoft.com/outlook/getstarted/add-an-email-account-to-outlook-for-windows#add-a-new-account-in-classic-outlook)
5. My username and password have stopped working | Microsoft Support